Stories from August 2, 2021

Long-time activist K.G. Wilson to leave Minneapolis
K.G. Wilson has devoted years of his life to keeping kids out of gangs, guns off the streets and to supporting families struck by gun violence. He joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his decision to leave Minneapolis after his nearly 20-year tenure in the city. 
The University of Minnesota is bringing back its mask mandate, after an uptick in COVID-19 cases nationwide related to the Delta variant.  In a message to faculty, students and staff, University President Joan Gabel says she’s reinstituting the mask mandate starting Tuesday. This is an MPR News evening update for Monday, August 2, 2021. Hosted by Dan Kraker. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.  
First Avenue requires vaccination or negative test for all shows
The policy — effective immediately — applies to shows at First Avenue’s Mainroom and 7th St Entry, the Palace Theatre, the Fitzgerald Theater, the Fine Line and the Turf Club.
Japan rallies against bullpen to beat U.S. 7-6 in 10 innings
Yuki Yanagita tied it with an RBI grounder off Scott McGough in the ninth inning, Takuya Kai hit a winning single against Edwin Jackson in the 10th and Japan beat the United States 7-6 Monday night to reach the Olympic semifinals.
Vikings in QB shortage, with Cousins out for COVID protocols
The Minnesota Vikings have started their second week of training camp with a severe shortage of quarterbacks, with Kirk Cousins and two of his backups sidelined under COVID-19 protocols.
COVID-19 in MN: New, active cases rising but no big surge seen
Minnesota continues to see COVID-19 cases edging higher, but the summer swing shows no signs yet of racing out of control. The state has no plans or power to return to a statewide masking order, the health commissioner said Monday.
Here's what's included in the bipartisan infrastructure bill
The price tag comes in at roughly $1 trillion, with $550 billion in new spending over five years. The funding goes toward roads and bridges as well as broadband and electric vehicles.
'We've had enough': Law enforcement frustrated by continued speeding
Public safety officials say they are fed up with speeding drivers in Minnesota. They say speed is the largest contributing factor to more than 90 fatal crashes, which are up more than 40 percent from last year.
The latest on COVID-19 and the delta variant
The CDC issued revised masking guidelines after a recent study based on a new cluster of COVID-19 cases among fully vaccinated people shows that the delta variant is more contagious than previously thought. MPR News host Kerri Miller gets us the latest on the delta-driven surge in new infections and help sort through what we know and what we don’t.
U of M orders indoor masking amid latest COVID-19 wave
The requirement applies to all University of Minnesota campuses and offices statewide starting Tuesday as concerns rise about the delta variant’s growth across the state.
Watch Olympians with Minnesota ties: Here's the early-week lineup
Minnesota athletes continue to compete against the tough global competition in the Olympic games, and three Minnesota athletes claimed medals over the weekend. We’ve got a summary of athletes to watch and what happened over the weekend.
Talking Volumes 2021 season guide
Join host Kerri Miller as she welcomes — in person! — an amazing lineup of writers to the stage. From deeply loved Minnesota novelists to huge New York Times bestsellers, you won’t want to miss this lineup.
10 unique storylines to follow in the final stretch of the Tokyo Olympics
The swimmers are now leaving Japan and the spotlight moves to the track and field events at Olympic Stadium. We'll walk you through the biggest things to watch for until the closing ceremony.
With the rise of the delta variant, the CDC recommends even vaccinated people wear a mask indoors in areas where community transmission is substantial or high. This is an MPR News morning update for Monday, August 2, 2021. Hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Our theme music is by Gary Meister.  
Monday will be a comfortable day for early August with seasonable temperatures and low humidity, but smoke remains a concern.
It's in and it's big: Senate unveils $1T infrastructure bill
A key part of Joe Biden's agenda, the bipartisan bill is the first phase of the president's infrastructure plan. It calls for $550 billion in new spending over five years above projected federal levels, in what could be one of the more substantial expenditures on the nation's roads, bridges, waterworks, broadband and the electric grid in years.
New month, worsening drought conditions in Minnesota
After one of the driest Julys on record in parts of Minnesota, the drought conditions affecting the region show no signs of letting up to start the month of August.
Simone Biles will return for the Olympic balance beam final
"We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow — Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!!" USA Gymnastics said. Biles had withdrawn from other events.
Amid uptick in bear encounters, Superior National Forest enacts new food storage order
Officials in northern Minnesota's Superior National Forest say they're seeing an uptick in bear encounters this summer — so what had been longstanding food storage recommendations for visitors are now required.
Flood watches in parts of western U.S. as mudslides close major interstate
Mudslides from heavy rains caused "extreme damage” to a major interstate and left it blocked with piles of boulders and logs, Colorado transportation officials said Sunday, as forecasters warned of more flash floods in the coming days.